Local news: Didcot
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Thames Travel invests £3m in ultra-low-emission buses for River Rapids route
Thames Travel has invested £3m in ten new ultra-low-emission buses for its River Rapids route between Oxford and Reading. The upgraded service will feature increased weekday and weekend frequencies and the return of the X40 to Abingdon Road for faster Oxford access.
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British interiors brand OKA relocates headquarters to Milton Park innovation hub
British interiors brand OKA has returned to Milton Park in Oxfordshire, relocating its headquarters to a custom-designed 12,971 sq ft office that reflects its design-led heritage. Founded in 1999, OKA has grown from a mail-order business to a national brand with 13 stores.
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Play2Give football tournament 2025 raises most ever for Oxford Children’s Hospital
The Didcot-based charity founded by Andy Baker, hosted its biggest football tournament yet on 13 July, raising a record £7,455 for Oxford Children’s Hospital. The event saw 18 teams from local businesses, friends, and charities compete in Wallingford on one of the hottest days of the year.
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Persimmon Homes submits plans for 172 new homes at Valley Park in Didcot
Persimmon Homes Wessex has submitted plans for 172 new homes as part of the fourth phase of the Valley Park development in Didcot. The proposal includes 61 affordable homes for a local housing association, a playground, and access to green infrastructure.
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Oxfordshire Bus Enhanced Partnership secures £10m funding boost for 2025/26
Oxfordshire County Council and local bus operators have secured over £10m in funding for 2025–26 to enhance bus services across the county. The grant will support infrastructure upgrades, such as smart signals and real-time displays, and vehicle improvements.
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Persimmon Homes to host events for first-time buyers in Oxfordshire and Wiltshire
Persimmon Homes Wessex is hosting four events on 26 July across Oxfordshire and Wiltshire to support first-time buyers. Attendees can tour showhomes in Wantage, Didcot, Warminster, and Trowbridge, with financial advisors available for guidance.
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First-time buyers settle into new Taylor Wimpey home at Valley Park
Davide Surdi and Federica Calza have become the first residents of Taylor Wimpey’s Valley Park development in Didcot. Previously renting in Bracknell, the couple opted for a new-build Eynsford house due to its modern style, quality materials, and minimal maintenance.
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Taylor Wimpey Site Manager Matt Harris wins Quality Award for Didcot site
Matt Harris, Senior Site Manager at Taylor Wimpey’s Valley Park in Didcot, has received a prestigious 2025 Quality Award from the NHBC’s Pride in the Job programme.
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Taylor Wimpey’s Valley Park development in Didcot welcomes local council leaders
Taylor Wimpey Southern Counties welcomed council members from Vale of White Horse District Council to its Valley Park development in Didcot. The visit included a tour of show homes and discussions on sustainability features such as air source heat pumps and EV chargers.
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Oxfordshire music students to shine at ‘Jazz at the Fleur’ in East Hagbourne
Music students from Oxfordshire will perform at ‘Jazz at the Fleur’ on Sunday, 08 June, at East Hagbourne’s Fleur de Lys pub. The Oxfordshire Youth Jazz Collective, part of the County Council’s music service, will play jazz standards and popular classics.
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Energy efficiency tops homebuyer priorities according to Knight Frank survey
A recent Knight Frank survey highlights a growing trend in the UK housing market: 60% of buyers now prioritise energy efficiency when choosing a new home. In response, Berkeley Homes has launched The Summerleigh Collection at Winterbrook Meadows in Wallingford, Oxfordshire.
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Taylor Wimpey supports Oxfordshire Young Farmers County Show in Blewbury
Taylor Wimpey Southern Counties sponsored the Oxfordshire Young Farmers County Show with a £500 donation. The show celebrated Oxfordshire’s agricultural heritage with livestock displays, competitions, and local products, attracting nearly 5,000 attendees.